Why do birds fly south in the fall?
Talk about it together
If you were a bird flying south, what would you like to see on your trip?
What about...?
Ask your child's own question
Transcript
Why do some birds fly south when fall comes?
In fall, the days get shorter and the air gets cooler. Many birds find fewer bugs, seeds, and berries to eat.
The birds gather, then fly a long way to places with more food. Those places are often farther south.
Some birds stay where they are if they can still find food. Other birds come back north when spring brings more food.
So that's why many birds fly south in fall. They are looking for food to eat until spring comes back.
For grown-ups: the science
Many birds fly south in fall to find enough food while winter makes food harder to find.
Migration is triggered largely by shortening day length, along with changing weather and food supply. Many birds migrate to places with better winter food, which are often farther south; not all species migrate, and some travel only short distances. Routes and timing are shaped by inherited instincts, learning, and local conditions.